The arrival of spring means that flea markets are reopening for business across the country.
Shoppers will hunt for treasures amid acres of used goods. A few people will come home with just
the right vintage art or quirky piece of furniture to make their home more beautiful.

Jaime Rummerfield, co-founder of Woodson & Rummerfield’s House of Design in Los Angeles,
sometimes mixes flea-market finds with new high-end furnishings to decorate the homes of celebrity
clients.

“The beauty of flea markets,” she says, “is you never know what you will find. There’s nothing
like being outdoors or in a place off the beaten path rummaging through old treasures.”

Time to go

Winter and early spring are perfect for flea-market shopping, Flynn says.

“Since ‘thrifting’ and ‘antiquing’ are often associated with gorgeous weather and weekend
shenanigans, many people shy away from hunting for their vintage finds when it’s cold or gloomy,”
he says.

“I usually show up just as the flea market opens to ensure I see every new item as it’s put out
on display. When you wait until the end of a flea market’s run to check out its stuff, you’re
likely to find mostly leftovers, things priced too highly which others passed over.”

Pieces of past

Rummerfield occasionally finds signed artwork and ceramics by noteworthy artists at flea markets
and antique malls.

Read up on the designers and artists from your favorite periods, then hunt for their work or
impressive knockoffs.

A flea market might offer goods from every decade of the 20th century.

Can you put a lamp from the 1970s on a table from 1950? Yes, if the shapes and colors work well
together, Kleinhelter says.

If your home has contemporary decor, add one statement piece — such as a side table or a light
fixture — from a previous era, Rummerfield says.

“A little bit goes a long way,” she adds. “Use vintage in moderation with contemporary spaces.
It will highlight the uniqueness of the vintage item.”

Fixer-uppers

You might assume that old upholstered furniture should be avoided, especially if the fabric is
dirty or damaged. But it’s actually a great thing to hunt for, the designers say.

“Hands down, upholstery is the best deal to walk away with at flea markets. Just make sure you
train your eye to pay no attention to the existing fabrics,” Flynn says. “Zero in on the lines of
the frames instead.”

The same goes for lighting. Buy it if you love it, but get the wiring updated by a professional.
Flynn usually estimates an extra $50 to $75 per fixture for updating the wiring.

Mix and match

Be on the lookout for pieces you can use together.

“You don’t need multiples of the same chair or sofa to make a room work,” Flynn says. “Stick
with those which have similar scale and proportion, then re-cover them in the same fabric.”

At home, use flea market finds sparingly, Flynn says.

“A few big pieces mixed with some smaller ones added to your existing stuff can instantly take
an unfinished space and make it feel way more finished and remarkably personal.”

Bargains and bargaining

“The best way to get an amazing deal is to buy a bunch of different items from the same vendor,”
Flynn says. “This way, they can actually lower their prices since you’re guaranteeing them more
sales, which in turn also makes their packing up and leaving much easier.”

“Mom-and-pop dealers don’t have the luxury of taking credit cards due to the charges acquired,”
Flynn says.

Personal taste

Above all, choose items that delight you.

“I never focus on eras or hunt for specific designers,” Kleinhelter says. “Pick what you
like."

And be open to serendipity.

“When I’m looking for furniture, I always stumble across a good vintage jewelry or clothing
vendor and end up with a fun bauble of a bracelet or necklace,” Rummerfield says. “Prices are
usually so reasonable, you come away with a good amount of loot.”